Research on the cell biology of tumors. Covers cancer-cell vulnerabilities, tumor spread, nanoreactor therapies, and AI-guided cancer research.
Scientists used single-cell transcriptomics to map cell types and molecular cascades driving medulloblastoma growth. They discovered new treatment targets, including the HIPPO-YAP/TAZ pathway, which can be targeted with an FDA-approved cancer drug.
A new study reveals pancreatic cancer cells invade and destroy nearby blood vessels, replacing them with tumor-lined structures. The process is driven by the interaction between the protein receptor ALK7 and the protein Activin, pointing to a possible target for future treatments.
Researchers identified a molecule called DCAF15 that makes cancer cells more susceptible to natural killer cells. Blocking this molecule could lead to better survival rates for patients with acute myeloid leukemia.
A University of Turku team has found that PIM kinases regulate the sense of smell in nematodes. The enzymes, previously linked to cancer cell motility and survival, also influenced olfactory neurons' ability to detect attractants or repellents.
A new study found that damaged mitochondria can pollute cells with reactive oxygen species, causing telomere damage and genetic instability. The researchers developed a technology to trigger this reaction, which ultimately led to the discovery of telomere fragility and breakage.
A Ludwig Cancer Research study reveals that MYC-driven cancers rely heavily on fatty acid synthesis and can be targeted for treatment. The research provides concrete information for the development of new therapies for a broad spectrum of malignancies.
Scientists at the Paul Scherrer Institute deciphered the structure of CCR7 receptor, which plays a crucial role in cancer cell migration. They identified an artificial molecule that blocks this receptor, preventing signaling protein from triggering a chain reaction leading to cell migration.
Researchers have discovered that natural killer cells interact with HLA class 2 proteins, which can activate them to attack cancer cells. This breakthrough may lead to new ways to harness the immune system to fight cancer and avoid attacking healthy tissues.
Researchers will investigate how solar UVB radiation triggers skin cancer and develop prevention and treatment strategies, including testing natural products and existing drugs.
Researchers have identified a new lipid signaling pathway that regulates T cell function and differentiation, leading to improved T cell-mediated immunotherapy against cancer cells. By depleting SphK1, the pathway inhibits Treg differentiation and promotes a Tcm phenotype, reducing tumor size and mortality in preclinical models.
Scientists at Huntsman Cancer Institute have discovered a way for cells to override genetic changes, potentially leading to more effective pancreatic cancer treatment. The study found that introducing PTF1A into normal cells prevented the formation of cancer cells and even reversed early-stage cancer cells back to healthy pancreas cells.
New research published in PNAS reveals that human epithelial cells form fractal-like branching structures under certain conditions, mirroring the self-assembly of particles suspended in a liquid. This discovery sheds light on tissue formation and cellular behavior.
As people age, the prostate grows, leading to an increased risk for prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia. A new UCLA study found that older mice have more luminal progenitor cells, which can generate new prostate tissue, helping explain why the prostate tends to grow with age.
Engineers create bone-like tissue in a dish to study disease processes and potential treatments for large bone injuries. The material has a 3D mineral structure populated with living cells, providing insights into cancer initiation, metastasis, and bone regeneration.
Two known gene mutations, KRAS and TP53, induce pathways that enhance pancreatic cancer's ability to invade tissues and evade the immune system. Mutations in these genes are closely linked to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, a type of pancreatic cancer with a low five-year survival rate.
Researchers used Raman spectroscopy to differentiate between benign and cancerous thyroid cells, achieving 97 percent accuracy. The non-invasive technique could reduce the need for invasive procedures, minimizing surgical complications and healthcare costs.
Researchers found a significant association between vitamin A intake and reduced risk of cutaneous squamous cell cancer. The study followed nearly 125,000 health professionals for over 26 years.
Scientists have discovered a crucial protective role of Polo-like kinase (PLK1) in guarding against severe DNA damage during cell division. PLK1 is essential for maintaining chromosome rigidity and preventing chromosome rearrangements that can lead to cancers.
Researchers at the University of Groningen elucidated the human ASCT2 structure, providing unprecedented insight into its workings and potential as a target for new anti-cancer drugs. The 'one-gate elevator' mechanism reveals a surprising similarity in release and catch mechanisms on either side of the cell membrane.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham have successfully extracted and modified a compound from feverfew to kill chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells in laboratory experiments. The compound, parthenolide, works by increasing reactive oxygen species levels in cancer cells, causing them to die.
A new combination treatment regimen enhances the immune system's ability to kill leukemias that do not respond to standard treatments. The regimen includes a therapeutic antibody designed to attract natural killer immune cells to cancer cells, resulting in increased killing of acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells by up to 35%.
Artificial cells have been created by Imperial College London scientists that can sense changes in their surroundings and respond with drug molecules or harm removal. This breakthrough uses a simpler approach to mimic complex biological responses, making it easier to engineer artificial cells for various biotechnological applications.
Scientists have found that senescent cells stop producing nucleotides, a class of chemicals essential to keep cells young. The discovery could pave the way for new drugs to eliminate aged cells and promote healthy aging.
A team of researchers has developed a high-performance computing framework to simulate cancer treatment combinations, aiming to improve personalized medicine. The tool, called EMEWS, uses agent-based modeling and machine learning to identify optimal treatment parameters for various types of cancer.
Researchers at Emory University have identified a way to inhibit cancer cell growth by targeting the bottleneck enzyme ribonucleotide reductase. By regulating its active site, scientists hope to develop novel anticancer agents that preferentially target cancer cells.
Researchers found a common vulnerability among aneuploid cancer cells, which are bloated and overstuffed due to high intracellular protein concentrations. The team identified a molecular pathway involving proteins ART1 and Rsp5 that regulates nutrient uptake in these cells.
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine have identified a potential therapeutic target for high-grade serous ovarian cancer cells by preventing a protein from doing its job. Inhibiting this protein led to a halt in cell division and may be an effective strategy for future therapies.
Researchers at CRCHUM found that Ran protein is essential for ovarian cancer cells to migrate and invade healthy tissues. Inhibiting Ran expression can break down RhoA, a protein necessary for cell migration, leading to a loss of cancer cells' ability to move.
Researchers at Purdue University have discovered a novel set of MYC promoter G-quadruplex stabilizers that demonstrate anticancer activity in human cancer cell cultures. The agents downregulate the expression of the MYC oncogene, which is overexpressed in cancer and associated with all aspects of cancer development.
Researchers at Hiroshima University discover that a layer of cells resembling normal stomach lining is produced by stomach cancer tissue itself, making it difficult to spot after Helicobacter pylori infection treatment. This finding highlights the need for continued check-ups even after H. pylori eradication.
A study found that a naturally occurring strain of the common cold, coxsackievirus CVA21, can target and destroy bladder cancer cells without causing harm to healthy cells. The treatment showed significant reduction in tumour burden and removal of disease in one patient after just one week.
Researchers have identified a protein, TSPYL5, that allows cancer cells to survive indefinitely. Targeting this protein may help develop new therapies for children with ALT-type cancer, which currently lacks effective treatments.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory discovered that pancreatic cancer cells destroy their own mitochondria to reduce reactive oxygen species and proliferate. Inhibiting the NIX pathway may prevent cancer cells from using energy to proliferate, offering a promising new target for therapies.
Researchers develop an artificial metalloenzyme that protects a metal catalyst, allowing it to target cancer cells while sparing surrounding tissues. The system uses a sugar chain to guide the metalloenzyme to specific cells, delivering a potent anti-cancer compound.
A new study reveals that high antioxidant levels may accelerate lung cancer spread, contradicting the long-held notion that antioxidants like vitamin E prevent cancer. The research highlights a complex interplay between protein BACH1, NRF2, and heme-driven oxidative stress in facilitating cancer cell migration.
Researchers have discovered how lung cancer cells metastasize by stabilizing protein BACH1, which stimulates glucose metabolism and boosts cancer cell spreading. The studies published in Cell provide a crucial new piece of the oncological puzzle and offer a potential explanation for the Warburg effect.
Purdue University researchers have created a 3D mapping technology to monitor and track the behavior of engineered cells and tissues. The technology offers diverse options for sensing and works in moist internal body environments, providing complete isolation from electronic instruments.
Researchers have identified a protein complex regulating epithelial cell connections, shedding light on cancer proliferation. This discovery has implications for understanding diseases like asthma and inflammatory bowel disease, as well as developing targeted therapies for cancer.
Researchers at the University of Bern have determined the structure of monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4), a key protein in cancer cell metabolism. The study provides insights into the molecular mechanism of MCT4 and identifies promising binding sites for inhibitors, paving the way for new cancer treatments.
A new multi-organ-on-a-chip system accurately captures chemotherapies' toxic effects on liver and other organs. The technology enables flexible testing of different organ systems, potentially leading to more accurate drug development and personalized therapies.
Researchers developed a probe that accurately traces the sigma-1 receptor on ER surfaces, showing promise for studying neurological disorders and cancer. The probe was tested on prostate cancer cells, haloperidol-sensitive signal detected.
Researchers found that administering anti-inflammatory treatments before surgery can eliminate the spread of cancer cells and promote prolonged survival in animal models. These findings suggest a potential paradigm shift in cancer treatment approaches, particularly for patients undergoing resectable cancers.
A research team created an artificially produced antibody fragment that successfully blocks the transport of antibiotics and chemotherapy agents out of cancer cells. By binding to a specific protein, the fragment prevented the protein from splitting ATP, thus stopping the transport process.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have identified a protein called TOX as the key regulator of exhausted immune cells in cancer. The discovery could lead to new immunotherapies that target or engineer TOX to reverse exhaustion and improve immunity to infections or cancer.
Researchers have identified a new type of fibroblast in pancreatic cancer tumors that can evade immune detection. The discovery, published in Cancer Discovery, highlights the complex role of these cells in protecting cancer cells and could lead to new therapeutic strategies.
Human cells use a mechanism to protect genetic transcripts from spliceosomes, preventing damage that can lead to cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. The researchers found that the snRNA of spliceosomes migrates into the cytoplasm in human cells, unlike in yeast, where it remains in the nucleus.
Researchers identified two key chemokines, CCL5 and CXCL9, as universally implicated in T cell infiltration across all solid tumors. Their simultaneous presence is a key requirement for the engraftment of T cells and establishment of 'hot tumors.'
SMU researchers develop a new approach to treat drug-resistant prostate cancer cells using a protein inhibitor and chemotherapy. The method shows promising results, increasing sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapeutics without harming healthy cells.
A new approach detects mutations across many different types of normal cells by analyzing RNA sequencing data from normal tissues. The study found that 95% of individuals had at least one tissue with mutations, with higher rates in lung, esophagus, and sun-exposed skin.
Ferroptotic cancer cells can stimulate the immune system, leading to activation of anticancer immunity. However, tumor cells dying by ferroptosis can also cause suppression of an antitumor immune response, contributing to cancer progression.
Researchers suggest that sexual reproduction prevents invasion of transmissible cancer by generating genetic variation and detecting foreign cells. This theory proposes a novel explanation for the evolution of sex in multicellular organisms, shifting our understanding of evolutionary biology.
Recent advances in organoid technology are revolutionizing cancer research, allowing for personalized drug testing on individual patient cells. Meanwhile, integrating organoids with organ-on-a-chip technology may overcome control challenges and enhance physiological realism, paving the way for more advanced biomedical applications.
Hollings Cancer Center researchers used a whole-organism approach to study cell division cycles, revealing two modules that work similarly in all cell types and organs. The findings confirm previous knowledge and address new questions about the regulation of E2F transcription factors.
Researchers found that regular cells can adopt immune cell characteristics, sending warning signs when stressed or in danger. This mechanism may aid in detecting cancer cells sooner, preventing tumor formation.
Researchers observed micro-perforations in the basement membrane zone, allowing inflammatory cells to access and feed growing cancer cells. This 'window' into the cancer process enables targeting of these weak spots with cancer therapeutics.
Researchers at Université de Montrêal discovered a molecular indicator for cancer progression, enabling precision medicine. They found that SRC kinases chemically modify SOCS1, leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation in cancers.
Boosting type 1 interferon production has been shown to clear viral infections and increase immunity against cancer in an animal model. Glycolysis-derived lactate plays a critical role in limiting RLR signaling, which enables the activation of type 1 IFN production.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have discovered a cell-wide web that transmits signals across tiny distances, allowing cells to rapidly rewire their communication networks. This discovery could lead to new insights into diseases such as pulmonary hypertension and cancer.
Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi have developed metal-organic trefoil knots, which can deliver metals to cancer cells and induce oxidative stress. These nanoscale molecules showed high potency in vitro and in vivo against six cancer cell lines and zebrafish embryos.
A new device forces cells through tiny channels, detecting blebbing in cancer cells to identify metastatic prostate cancer. Highly metastatic cells exhibit more blebbing than normal or less-metastatic cells.